Now that everyone has had some time to gnash their teeth and worry themselves sick over the Jets’ 26-3 loss to the Giants, we can get down to some truths about Rex Ryan’s gang.

First of all, don’t worry. Although there’s no saying the Jets are going to make a run at a Super Bowl anytime soon, they’re still not going to be half as bad as Saturday night’s showing. At least you’d better hope not, or it’s going to be a long year.

And despite Ryan’s Cortland theatrics, with his media blackout of his Wildcat practice, there was no sign in this game of a gambit the Jets will use extensively once the season starts. As for Tim Tebow, the main guy in the Cat, he legitimately proved that as a passer, he’s still a pretty decent tailback. Notice the throwing motion that made him look more like Macbeth dispatching Duncan with a dagger than finding a short receiver.

Now, no one is saying here that Coples is ready to push Muhammad Wilkerson, Mike DeVito, or Sione Pouha — once he’s healthy, of course — out of a starting job. But with a little imagination and forethought, one could easily see him being effective in a sub package if he keeps together a focus that tended to wander during his college career.

Coples’ highlights came in quick succession in the fourth quarter against admittedly a makeshift Giants line. Doesn’t matter. In a game where few in green did anything golden, the maneuvering was still impressive.

First, Coples brought down the Giants’ first-round pick, running back David Wilson for no gain on third-and-long. As Wilson appeared headed for the perimeter, Coples penetrated from the right defensive tackle spot, reached out, and grabbed Wilson’s jersey one-handed, by the fingertips. Wilson, a powerful 5-foot-9, 209-pounder, showed a lot of strength and speed in the offseason program. But he was no match for Coples on that play, as the fellow rookie spun him to the ground.

On the Giants’ next possession, Coples flew up the middle and blasted Eli Manning’s backup, David Carr, for a three-yard sack on third-and-6. Another strong move that was probably forgotten as soon as T.J. Conley sent the first of two shanks 19 yards on the Jets’ next possession.

One other defender looked good, as reserve linebacker Garrett McIntyre swatted down one of Carr’s third-quarter passes.

Take it for what it’s worth; a rookie and a reserve looking good amid an otherwise miserable and offensively undermanned performance. Those things don’t necessarily translate into regular season wins. But for a team whose real concerns — are you listening, RT Wayne Hunter? — go beyond vanilla preseason game plans and short staffing, Coples and McIntyre provided a glimpse of strong potential.

That alone should suffice to keep the panic in abeyance until halftime against Buffalo, at least.